Filing device



April 26, 1949.

R. J. AMBLER FILING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 30, 1945 April 26, 1949. R J, AMBLER 2,468,355

' FILING DEVICE Filed NOV. 30, 1945 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FILING DEVICE Filed Nov. 50, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 as r 22 r Z4. g] wum'vto'tl R.Jjzzzbluz Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED ST'E'E FTNT OFHCE FILING DEVICE Richard 3!. Ambler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application November 3 1945, Serial No. 631,992

9 Claims. 1

My invention relates to filing means for holding sheets.

An important object of the invention is to provide a filing or holding device which will accommodate different thicknesses of stacks of sheets and will be fiat when holding the stack in place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing device which will permit of the assembling of the sheets and which is adjustable to bring the sheets to the proper filing position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing or holding device which will properly retain the filed sheets against improper separation but permit of the quick removal of sheet or sheets when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing or holding device having a friction action and will thereby prevent undue downward movement of the stack of sheets upon the folder when the folder is suspended at the top.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing or holding device which is adjustable within limits, while connecting the sheets, and is extensible to provide a loop of increased size, whereby the individual sheet or stack of sheets may be circulated or folded to an open position, and two groups of sheets arranged fiat in end to end relation, rendering their entire surfaces visible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible and adjustable filing device which is applied to a folder and will be securely attached thereto and properly hold the sheets to the folder,

permit of their quick and easy circulation, in-

spection and removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a file holder and filing or holding device or devices which may be completely assembled prior to use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing device having one side smooth for easy filing of the sheets and the other side somewhat roughened to aid in the friction. holding principle.

Other objects and advanta es of the invention will be apparent during the course of the follow ing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a pers ective of or holding devices embodying my invention, showing the same applied to a folder and stack of filed sheets, the folder being open,

Figure 2 is anend elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the filing devices in use, parts of the folder being broken away,

Figure 4. is a longitudinal section taken on line ll of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 55 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3,

Figure '7 is a side elevation of one filing or holding device removed and arranged flat,

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the folder and filing or holding devices of Figure 1, showing the same used in connection with a thin stack of sheets,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section taken on line 9-4! of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the filing devices and bolder, embodying a modification of the invention, wherein the filing devices are horizontal, the folder being open,

Figure 11 is a horizontal section taken on line H! I of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a plan view of the filing or holding devices and folder, showing a further modification of the invention, wherein three horizontal filing or holding devices are used, the folder being open,

Figure 13 is a plan view of a modified form of folder,

Figure 14 is a similar view showing a filing or holding device and sheet or sheets in place, parts of the folder being broken away.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the holder shown in Figures 1 and 8.

The first form of the invention is shown in Figures l to 3 inclusive and Figure 8 The numeral 20 designates a folder whch may be formed of stout paper or the like, foldable upon lines 2|, forming sides 22 and 23 and a back 24. The side 23 is provided at its top with reinforcing strips 25, formed of suitable material, such as paper, fabric or the like. These reinforcing strips are secured to the side 23 by glue, cement or the like. In this embodiment of the invention, the folder is designed for receiving sheets 26, having two spaced holes 21 at their tops. The long slots 28 are formed through the side 23 and reinforcing strips see more particularly Figure 8 and short slots 29 are formed through these parts. The short slots are spaced downwardly from the long slots and are longitudinally centered with relation thereto.

Two filing or holding devices 30 are employed. Each filing or holding device is integral and is formed from a flexible non-elastic sheet, such as,

stout paper, fabric, leather, plastics or the like. The filing or holding device is preferably stamped from a flat sheet. The filing or holding device comprises a straight wide strip 3 I, having its free end rounded, as shown at 32. At its opposite end, the wide strip 32 has a transverse head 33 projecting laterally beyond the strip, forming extensions 34, having shoulders 35 and 35'. The strip 3| is provided with. a fgitoup of "longitudinally spaced transverse slots'36, and'is provided between its free end and this group of slots with 2. preferably circular opening 31. Formed integral with the head 33 is a narrow straight "strip or tail 3%, and this narrow strip or tail has a locking head 39, formed integral therewith. This locking head 39 is wider than the narrow stri-p 38 and projects laterally beyond the same and is foldable upon longitudinal lines it. When'the locking head 39 is folded upon the lines fill, it may be ihserted through the opening 3?. The locking head 39, when fiat, 'diay be passed *t'hrough any selected slot 33 and through the slot 29.

--It is preferred tliat-the fili-n'g car-holding devices 30 be applied to the folder 20 beforeth'e folder applying each filing or holding device *ifito the fdlde'r,"eachfiling-Orhdlding device is first'a'rranged upon the bottom or rear face of the side 23-and the rounded'end "32 of the wide strip-3| is passed through the-"slot 12-8 and the locking head 39 "is "passed" fiat through" the short slot 2'9. Thewide strip 3| and narrow strip "33 are now pulled toward the 'front orinner'face of the side 23 and the transverse locking head 3d becomes positioned upon the 'outer 'fac'e' of the reinforcing strip 25 and the shoulders 35 are 'arranged'adjacent to the l fing'slott and li'znit'further movement=of thewide'strip 3! toward-theldngslot, while the-"shoulders '35 arearranged'adjacent to the short slot 29 and limit the longitudinal rnovemeat of the narrowstrip "'33 toward the slot 29. The wide strip 3! and the narrow strip "38 both extend upon-the inner or'frontiaceof' the side 23. The folder may now'b'e resting open horizontally upohawabl'e -or' desk and the Wide strip 31 may be circulated or bent upwardly beyond "the side 23 to be out of the way. The sheets'26 aie no'w placed upon the upper face of the side 23 and the locking head 39 of each filing or holding device "38 -is bent upon the lines "46) and passed through'tl'ie openings '2? in the/sheets. In'this manner, a suitable n-uniber of 'sheets are threade'd'upon the-narrow strip-38 to produce a stack of the desired thickness. After'thishas-b'een done, the "narrow'strip "38 "is *pulled upwardly, While a slight downwardpressure by thefin'ger is applied to the stack of "sheets adjacent to the "openings in -the"she'ets, and this will bring the several sheets in the proper 'filingposition. The wide strip 3 I is' now fo'ldedover the stack of sheets and the-'locking head '39'is passe'd fiat'thro'ugh'a seleeted' slot 33, Which'is immediately above the openings 21 inthe sheets. The-slot "36 selected will 'dpen'd upon the thickness of the stack of sheets. The riarrowstrip 38 now'extends upon the' outer or upper face of the wide strip. The loclting h'ead 39 is again folded upon the longitudi'nal lines $6 "and is passed downii a'rdly through the openin'gii'l and isthen pulled so that the strips "3i and "38"are distended and lie flat. The lock-inghe'ad 39 is flattenedand' is nowpositioned adjacent to the free end of thewidestrip 3 Hand is sp'aced Iongitudinally'from the opening 31, and this permits-ofthe'loop formed by the wide' and narrow-strips 'andwhich surrounds the --3 i-and 38 when the strip 38 is passed through the opening 3'1! and one slot 36. As stated, when the strip 38 is passed through the opening 31 and pul-led st'r'aight, the -locking head 39 is spaced from the open-ing-3l.

The locking head 39 does not ordinarily'iunction to prevent displacement =of the filed sheets, within limits, but prevents them from separating. Due to the frictional enbetween the strip 38 and strip- 3| the side 23 may be grasped at the top While the stack of sheets 2 iiis'supported--bythe filing= or holding devices,-:and-thestackwill be supported while the locking heads remainspaced from :the openings. The face d3 of the strip 38 and strip 3| are preferably roughened to increase their frictional engagement, While-theopposite faced l -is smooth. This may be eiTected by any suitablemeans or the-filing er holding device'may-be made from rough and smoothlayers, providinga laminated construction. While-it is preferred to have these rough 1 and smooth faces, the inventionis -not-restrictedto the same.

-When it'is desiredto-move-anysuitable number of the sheets 26 to an open position, the sheets are swung-over the upper end of the side 23, "and when some of 'the sheets-remain upon the side '23, upper and -lower stacks -and sheets are pr'ovided-which may-be-horizontally supportt ed in endt-o end relation. Thisi permits of the inspection of the entiresurface of the sheets. When the stacked sheets aresw-ung to the upper horizontal open "position, the narrow strip 38 slidesdnthe slot 36 and opening 31, until the locking head Miengages "with the wall of the opening 31. This' dis-teuds the -loop for-med by the strips --3I and-38, permitting of the-free -circulationor opening movement-of the sheets.

In Figures 8 and 9, the form of the-invention shown in Figure -1 "is repeatedpbut the filing or holdingdevices fll are used with a thin stack-o1 sheets zfi. Since the stack of sheets is thingthe narrow strip38 'ispassed through-the upper slot 36, which would be'located next to'the openings 21. Further, the narrow strip may be-passed through a plurality of "slots 36,--and is arranged above and below certain of the webs betweenthe slots 33. This increases-thefrictionalengagement between the strips 3! and 38.

In Figures 10 and 11, -'a further modification of the invention is's'hown. Thesamefolder 20 or holding devices 30- are used,-' and are horizontally arranged, for coaction with the sheets having the two openings 21.

The device shown in Figure 12 is identical with that shown in Figures and 11, except that three of the filing and holding devices 38 are used, three sets of slots 28 and 29 being provided in the folder, and the sheets 26 having three Openings 21, adjacent to their vertical edges.

In Figures 13 and 4, I have shown a further modification of the invention, wherein a folder is provided for use with sheets having two or three openings at their vertical edges. This folder includes the sides 22 and 23, foldable upon the lines 2|. The side 23 is provided with upper and lower long vertical slots 42 and an intermediate long vertical slot 43, all of which are arranged adjacent to the folding line 2|. The slot 43 is of a size to receive the wide strip and prevent the head 33 passing through the same. The slots 42 are longer than the slots 43 and longer than the head 33. Arranged opposite the slots 42 are two short vertical spaced slots M, for receiv ing the head 39 flat and the narrow strip 38. Arranged opposite the slot 43 is a short slot 45, for receiving the head 39 flat and the narrow strip 38. The slot 45 is at the longitudinal center of the slot 43, while slots Mi are spaced equal distances from the ends of the slot 42.

When the folder, Figures 13 and 14, is used in connection with the sheets having three openings at their vertical edges, the outer openings are nearer to the ends of the sheets. Three filing or holding devices must now be used. The wide strip 3| of the filing or holding device is passed through each of the slots 42, and the strip 3| is then shifted toward the outer end of the slot 42, so that the shoulder 35 will project beyond the outer end of the slot 42, and prevent the strip 3! pulling out. The narrow strip 33 is passed through the short slot 45. The narrow strip 38 is now threaded through the end openings in the sheets, and the filing and holding device manipulated as heretofore described. The strip 3| of a third filing and holding device is passed through the slot 43 and the narrow strip 38 through the slot 45, and this filing or holding device applied to the sheets as explained.

When the folder, Figures 13 and 14, is used in connection with sheets having two openings at their vertical edges, these openings are farther from the ends of the sheets. The strip 3% of the filing and holding device is passed through each slot 42 and shifted inwardly so that the shoulder 35 projects beyond the inner end of the slot 42, Figure 14. The narrow strip 38 is passed through the inner slot 44. The narrow strips 38 of the two filing and holding devices are threaded through the openings in the sheets and these filing and holding devices manipulated, as before described.

I also contemplate forming the long slots 23 and short slots 29 horizontally at the top of the side 23, Figure 3. When this is done, two of the filing or holding devices may be applied to the top of the side 23 for coaction with sheets having two openings at their tops. The slots Q2 and 44; and 43 and 45, permit of the use of two or three horizontal filing and holding devices, for coaction with the sheets having two or three openings at their vertical edges.

The reinforcing strips 25 are shown as applied to the first form of the invention, but may be applied to all forms. While it is preferred to use these reinforcing strips, yet they may be omitted if the folder is formed of sufilciently stout material.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In filing apparatus an elongated wide flexible strip provided near one end with a transverse head which projects laterally beyond the longitudinal edges of the wide strip for forming stop shoulders, the wide strip having a longitudigroup of spaced transverse slots and an openg arranged between the group of slots and the free end of the Wide strip, the opening having a horter transverse dimension than the slots, and

a second elongated narrow flexible strip secured to the end of the wide strip adjacent to the trans- "erse head, the narrow strip being provided near s free end with a locking head extending laterally beyond the same, the locking head having a greater transverse dimension than said opening so that it must be folded to be passed through the opening, the looking head being adapted to be passed flat through the slots.

2. A. filing apparatus for holding sheets, oorna side provided with spaced slots, a flexholding device comprising connected first and flexible strips, the first strip having a transverse head near end which projects late qily beyond the first strip to form stop shouland a g up of spaced transverse slots and .ing between the group of slots and its free end, 2. opening having a transverse dimension shorter than the lengths of the slots, the second strip having a laterally projectlocking head near its free end, said locking he d having a v ""11 greater than the transverse dimension of said opening, the locking head of the second strip being foldable to reduce its dth adapted to be passed flat through a oi the first strip and to be passed rough the opening of the first strip, the strip bein inserted through one slot in the 0nd strip through the other slot stop shoulders of the transverse strip projecting beyond the ale 1'; e side, the second strip being p ed t rough ected slot in the first nd through the ring in the first strip, a being of substantially i :l the second strip being spaced for-i1 tg in the first strip so that the formed the first and second strips may be nde'l.

3. A filing apparatus for holding sheets, comprising a side provided with spaced slots, a flexible holding device comprising connected first and second flexible strips, the first strip having a laterally projecting stop shoulder and a group of spaced transverse slots and an opening arranged between the group of slots and its free end, said opening having a transverse dimension smaller than the length of the transverse slots, the second strip having a laterally projecting ioclring head, the locking head having a Width greater than the transverse dimension of said opening, the locking head of the second strip being foldable to reduce its width and adapted. to be passed fiat through a selected slot of the first strip and to be passed folded through :the opening of the first strip, the firststripbeing inserted through one slot in theside and the-second strip through theother slot in the side, the stop shoulder of the firststripprojecting beyond the ends of the slots in the side, said second strip being passed through a selected-slot in the first strip and the opening inthe first strip, the looking head of the second strip being spaced "from the opening in the first strip when the first and second strips are holding the sheets so that the loop formed by the first and second strips may be distended.

A filing apparatus, comprising a side provided with spaced slots, a flexible holding device comprising first and second flexible strips arranged in end to end relation, the first strip having a laterally projecting stop shoulder near one end and a group of spaced transverse slots and an-opening arranged between the group of slots and its free end, said opening having a smaller transverse dimension than the length of the slots, the second strip having a laterally projecting locking head near its free end, the locking head having a width greater than the transverse dimension of said opening, the locking head of the second strip being foldable to reduce its Width and adapted to be passed fiat through one slot of the side and aselected slot of the first strip and to be passed folded through the opening of the first strip, the first strip being inserted through one slot of the side and the second strip through the other slot in the side, the stop shoulder of the first strip projecting laterally between the end of the slot receiving the first strip.

5. A filing apparatus, comprising a folder having sides, one side having pairs of slots near its edge, one slot in each pair being long and the other short, flexible holding devices for coaction with the folder, each holding device comprising a wide strip and a narrow strip which are secured together, the wide strip having a laterally projecting stop shoulder and a longitudinal set of spaced slots and an opening, said opening having a transverse dimension less than the length of the slots the narrow strip having a laterally projecting locking head, the locking head having a width greater than the transverse dimension of said opening, the wide strips of the holding devices being passed through the long slots and the narrow strips of the holding devices through the short slots, the stop shoulder projecting beyond the ends of the long slots and the short slots of the side, the arrangement being such that each flexible holding device is held against longitudinal movement in either direction with respect to the side having the slots when the flexible holding device has its ends pulled longitudinally from the inner face of such side.

6. A filing apparatus, comprising a folder having sides, reinforcing strips secured to one side near its edge, such side and reinforcing strips having pairs of slots formed therein, one slot in each pair being long and the other slot short, flexible holding devices for coaction with the folder, each holding device comprising connected wide and narrow strips, the wide strip having a laterally projecting stop shoulder anda group of Spaced slots and an opening, the opening having a transverse dimension less than the length of the slots, the narrow strip having a laterally projecting locking head, the locking head having .a width greater than the transverse dimension of said-opening, the wide strips of the holding devices being passed through the long slots and the narrow strips through the .short -slots the stop shoulder projecting beyond the ends of the long and short slots of the side, the arrangement being such that each flexible holding .device lis held against .movement in opposite directions with respect to the side having the slots when the ends of thefiexible holding device are pulled longitudinally from the inner face of such side.

7. .A filing apparatus, comprising a folder having sides, one side being provided near its edge withpairs of horizontal spaced slots,.and holding devices for coaction with the folder, .each'holrling device comprising connected first-and second strips, the first strip having a laterally extending stop shoulder and a group of spaced slots and an opening, said opening having a transverse dimension less than the length of the slots, "the second strip having a laterally projecting locking head, the locking head having a width greater than the transverse dimension of said opening, the first strip being passed through one slot in each pair and the second strip through the other slot in such pair the stop shoulder extending beyond the ends of the slots in the side, the arrangement being such that the shoulder holds the holding device against movementin io'pposite directions relation to the side provided with the slots when the ends of the holding de- Vice are pulled longitudinally fromlthe innerface of the side.

8. .A filing apparatus, comprising a'folder'having sides, one side being provided near one "edge with pairs of vertical spaced slots, and'ho'lding devices for coaction with the folder, each "holding device comprising flexible connected first and second strips, the first strip having a laterally projecting stop shoulder and agroup of "spaced slots and an opening, the opening havinga'transverse dimension less than the length of the'slots, the second strip having a lo'ckinghead, 'thelooking head having width greaterthan'the transverse dimension'of said opening, the'firststrips being passed throughthe slots in the pairs and the second strip through the other SIOtSTlHthE pairs, the stop shoulder extendingbeyondthe ends of the slots in the pairs, the arrangement being su .1 that the stop shoulder holds the holding device against movement in opposite idirecticns with respect to the side having'the slots when the ends of the holding device are "pulled longitudinally from the inner face of such side,

9. A filing apparatus, comprising a folder having sides, one side having longitudinally spaced long slots and a pair of spaced short slots "arranged neareach long slot, the long slotexteriding beyond the pair ofshort slots, and flexible holding devices for coaction with the folder, each holding device comprising connected wide'and narrow strips, the wide strip having a'stop'shoulder and a plurality of longitudinally space'dopenings, the narrow strip having a locking headfthe wide strip being inserted through the longslots which are longer than the width of the amide strips, the narrow strips being inserted through selected slots in the short pairs, the stop "shoulder extending outwardly beyond the ends ofthe long slot and short slot in the side, the arrangement being such that the shoulder holds'i'the flexible holding device a'gainst movement 'in'xopposite directions with respect to the side having the slots when the ends of the holding tdeviceea-re pulled longitudinally from the inner face .ofisuch side.

RICHARD =J..-:A1VIBLER. (References :on.-.-following-;;page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Trautman Dec. 3, 1878 Cutler Apr. 3, 1900 Stillwell Feb. 18, 1913 Kline Apr. 10, 1928 10 Number Number Name Date Sato Oct. 27, 1931 Bourdon Dec. 24, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Sept. 3, 1903 Germany Dec. 16, 1922 Great Britain Feb. 25, 1932 Great Britain Sept. 3, 1935 

